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Port Moresby

Capital of Papua New GuineaPort Moresby faces the Coral Sea on the south-west coast of the Papuan Peninsula, the long eastern arm of the island of New Guinea.

Why it's the capital

Port Moresby was the capital of Papua when Australia took over its rule in 1906, and in 1945 it became the capital of the combined Territory of Papua and New Guinea. It stayed the capital when Papua New Guinea became independent in September 1975.

Fun facts

  1. In 1873 Captain John Moresby of the Royal Navy named the harbour after his father, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Fairfax Moresby.
  2. The Motu and Koita people have lived here for centuries, and Hanuabada, their largest settlement, was made up of five villages.
  3. The National Parliament Building in Waigani was officially opened by Prince Charles on 8 August 1984.

Finding it on the globe

Find the eastern arm of New Guinea and tap its south coast, facing Australia across the Coral Sea, east-north-east of the tip of Cape York.

Sources: Wikipedia: Port Moresby, Wikipedia: Parliament House, Port Moresby